In October of this year, Impact had planned to celebrate a total of 10 years’ operating and delivering support services and wellbeing courses in Central Bedfordshire and Bedford as a Charity from 2010 for five years and as a Community Interest Company since 2015.
Regrettably, our celebration will now be postponed but with good reason! We want to ensure that when we throw a party to mark the survival of Impact through a recession, funding cuts and a global pandemic that we can open up the doors of the Grove Theatre and welcome all of you!
That said, we will most certainly be in touch this year with a revised date once we are sure that the Impact celebration can and will go ahead in true Impact style.
https://www.impactmh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/10th-Anniversary.jpg9341400Deanne Clarkhttps://www.impactmh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/logo-v8.1.pngDeanne Clark2020-05-19 15:42:282023-02-27 08:42:37A Celebration Of Growth
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE LEARNERS
THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF OUR STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, LEARNERS AND VISITORS IS OUR PRIORITY.
Following the Prime Minister’s advice on Monday 16 March, Impact will cease to deliver its programmes in the community from Monday 23rd March until further notice.
All courses will now be run online.
This difficult decision has been made in line with the Prime Minister’s recommendation to the public to adhere to social distancing measures to help prevent the spread of the virus.
However, we now have plans in place to continue to deliver courses online
Alternative Programme delivery
Impact are working hard to ensure that all those who have enrolled onto to our existing and future programmes, and who can join us online, receive the remainder of their learning.
Future online programmes & online wellbeing information
We are now delivering online courses and wellbeing support throughout the coming weeks and months to existing learners and all those in need of mental wellbeing information.
Starts Tuesday 21st, July, 2026
Mind Time – July 2026 MT210726
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding and improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 21st July, 2026 Wednesday 22nd July, 2026
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
The YOU Programme can be an important first step to feeling better, improving your mental health and wellbeing and getting your life back on track through supporting education, peer empowerment and learning how to manage uncomfortable thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion.
Day 1 – Tuesday 7th July, 2026
Day 2 – Thursday 9th July, 2026
Day 3 – Tuesday 14th July, 2026
Day 4 – Thursday 16th July, 2026
Time for each session: 9:30am – 2:30pm
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding and improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 23rd June, 2026 Wednesday 24th June, 2026
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding and improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 19th May, 2026 Wednesday 20th May, 2026
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding and improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 28th April, 2026 Wednesday 29th April, 2026
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding and improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 24th March, 2026 Wednesday 25th March, 2026
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
The YOU Programme can be an important first step to feeling better, improving your mental health and wellbeing and getting your life back on track through supporting education, peer empowerment and learning how to manage uncomfortable thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
Day 1 – Tuesday 3rd March, 2026
Day 2 – Thursday 5th March, 2026
Day 3 – Tuesday 10th March, 2026
Day 4 – Thursday 12th March, 2026
Time for each session: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Delivered live online using Zoom and with lots of breaks.
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding and improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 24th February, 2026 Wednesday 25th February, 2026
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
An inspiring, empowering and educational wellbeing course, helping you to understand and learn what you can do to help yourself manage your mind, your emotions and build total wellbeing resilience for the future.
If you feel you need to make some important changes to have the kind of life you really want, this course is for you.
Delivered each Wednesday & Thursday for 8 sessions on the following days:
Day 1 Wednesday 21st January, 2026
Day 2 Thursday 22nd January, 2026
Day 3 Wednesday 28th January, 2026
Day 4 Thursday 29th January, 2026
Day 5 Wednesday 4th February, 2026
Day 6 Thursday 5th February, 2026
Day 7 Wednesday 11th February, 2026
Day 8 Thursday 12th February, 2026
Time for each session
9:30am – 2:30pm with plenty of breaks!
The YOU Programme can be an important first step to feeling better, improving your mental health and wellbeing and getting your life back on track through supporting education, peer empowerment and learning how to manage uncomfortable thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
Day 1 – Tuesday 6th January, 2026
Day 2 – Thursday 8th January, 2026
Day 3 – Tuesday 13th January, 2026
Day 4 – Thursday 15th January, 2026
Time for each session: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Delivered live online using Zoom and with lots of breaks.
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding and improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 27th January, 2026 Wednesday 28th January, 2026
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
An inspiring, empowering and educational wellbeing course, helping you to understand and learn what you can do to help yourself manage your mind, your emotions and build total wellbeing resilience for the future.
If you feel you need to make some important changes to have the kind of life you really want, this course is for you.
Delivered each Wednesday & Thursday for 8 sessions on the following days:
Day 1 Wednesday 26th November, 2025
Day 2 Thursday 27th November, 2025
Day 3 Wednesday 3rd December, 2025
Day 4 Thursday 4th December, 2025
Day 5 Wednesday 10th December, 2025
Day 6 Thursday 11th December 2025
Day 7 Wednesday 17th December. 2025
Day 8 Thursday 18th December, 2025
Time for each session
9:30am – 2:30pm with plenty of breaks!
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding & improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 16th December, 2025 Wednesday 17th December, 2025
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding & improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 18th November, 2025 Wednesday 19th November, 2025
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
The YOU Programme can be an important first step to feeling better, improving your mental health and wellbeing and getting your life back on track through supporting education, peer empowerment and learning how to manage uncomfortable thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
Day 1 – Tuesday 4th November
Day 2 – Thursday 6th November
Day 3 – Tuesday 11th November
Day 4 – Thursday 13th November
Time for each session: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Delivered live online using Zoom and with lots of breaks.
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding & improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 21st October, 2025 Wednesday 22nd October, 2025
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
The YOU Programme can be an important first step to feeling better, improving your mental health and wellbeing and getting your life back on track through supporting education, peer empowerment and learning how to manage uncomfortable thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
Day 1 – Tuesday 9th September
Day 2 – Thursday 11th September
Day 3 – Tuesday 16th September
Day 4 – Thursday 18th September
Time for each session: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Delivered live online using Zoom and with lots of breaks.
An inspiring, empowering and educational wellbeing course, helping you to understand and learn what you can do to help yourself manage your mind, your emotions and build total wellbeing resilience for the future.
If you feel you need to make some important changes to have the kind of life you really want, this course is for you.
Delivered each Wednesday & Thursday for 8 sessions on the following days:
Day 1 Wednesday 24th September, 2025
Day 2 Thursday 25th September, 2025
Day 3 Wednesday 1st October, 2025
Day 4 Thursday 2nd October, 2025
Day 5 Wednesday 8th October, 2025
Day 6 Thursday 9th October, 2025
Day 7 Wednesday 15th October. 2025
Day 8 Thursday 16th October, 2025
Time for each session
9:30am – 2:30pm with plenty of breaks!
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding & improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 23rd September, 2025 Wednesday 24th September, 2025
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
The information packed Mind Time Course is designed to educate, support and empower people to immediately start to work on understanding & improving their mental wellbeing, and is delivered over two evenings.
This is a fantastic course on its own for time-strapped people looking to make instant change to their wellbeing, or as a taster course before joining us on one of our longer day time courses.
This course offers a free One-to-One session after course completion
Dates Tuesday 26th August, 2025 Wednesday 27th August, 2025
Times for each session 6.30 to 9.30pm
All existing and current learners will be contacted over the next few days by email, text or phone with details of how and where to access the online courses.
Impact are supporting our friends at the Grove Theatre to celebrate Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 27th September, 10.30 to 12.30.
How could you say no to helping a cracking cause and cake all in one morning while raising vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
In addition, watch a special showing of Calendar Girls
Part of the Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event – enjoy a free tea/coffee and a cake before the film and help us raise money for cancer support.
After the death of her best friend’s husband from cancer, spirited Yorkshire housewife Chris Harper hatches a scheme to raise money for a memorial to him. Utilising a tradition from the hidebound Woman’s Institute association, Chris encourages her friends to create a calendar — with the novel detail of using the middle-aged women of their village as nude models.
Bookable online or by calling the Box Office on 01582 60 20 80
https://www.impactmh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Make-Or-Donate-Header-1.jpg3831019adminhttps://www.impactmh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/logo-v8.1.pngadmin2019-09-17 10:09:322023-02-27 08:42:47The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning For Macmillan
Our useful range of wellbeing-measuring tools, include the PHQ9 and GAD7, which offer an additional way to measure our learner’s mental wellbeing, particularly the decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety after completing a programme.
The graph below shows the total scores for all learners completing YOU and YOUR Recovery Pathways programmes and highlights the overwhelming evidence of the positive benefits our programmes can provide for better mental wellbeing.
The WEMWBS is included in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council and is a positively worded short questionnaire to further enable the measurement of mental wellbeing of adults.
Our favourite way to showcase how much our programmes can and do improve wellbeing and lives, is to share learner stories, and we are honoured to share two stories from two very courageous ladies who attended the YOU and YOUR Recovery Programmes recently.
A huge thank you and congratulations to all of the learners who attended one or both of our programmes. Warriors, one and all.
For new learners coming our way, welcome and thank you for choosing Impact, the team and I look forward to working with you.
Professionals and referrers, if you would like to come and see what we do and how we do it, why not get in touch and register for an Impact in Action session. It’s a great opportunity to find out more about our courses and watch the team in action!
It’s been such a rewarding year watching our learners develop new wellbeing tools, build peer support networks and find the courage to practice self-empowerment and self-care.
We are now busy preparing for the start of our autumn courses, adding new programme content and ensuring our programmes continue to meet the needs of anyone struggling with poor mental wellbeing.
Impact are recruiting for two volunteers to join our team.
The new volunteers will work alongside facilitators, supporting learners and helping the delivery team to continue providing YOU & YOUR Recovery programmes in Central Bedfordshire and Bedford. This will also be an opportunity to gain qualifications and training for those who are considering a career in adult education.
If you have attended one or both of our programmes and are interested in volunteering, please complete the short application form and attach your C.V. and a covering letter explaining why you would like to volunteer for Impact.
Once again, Impact will be celebrating World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10th October with the Grove Theatre Education & Outreach service, sponsored by the Grove Theatre, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire.
This year’s theme is The Creative Workshop and it would be an understatement to say that the team are excited!
Did you know that as well as being an enjoyable way to while away the hours, arts and crafts activities can also help to maintain your mental health!
So join the team for the day and get creative with workshops and classes led by local arts and crafts experts, with tea, cake and a natter with the Impact & Grove teams.
After a successful tender application with Central Bedfordshire Council, we are delighted to announce Impact will continue to deliver both programmes in Central Bedfordshire and Bedford for a further two-years. Happy days!
Our 2019/20 programmes are now on the Impact web calendar for all to see and for registration onto chosen courses.
We are excited to see many learners already registering for programmes starting in the autumn and for 2020. If you would like to register for a programme or refer someone onto a programme, simply go on-line to register and we’ll do the rest!
I’m writing this whilst on a bus journey, something I have got quite used to in the past 40-odd years. Even though I got my provisional driving licence when I turned 17, my life never quite presented me with the opportunity to make use of it, beyond the occasional ID requirements!
However, a recent legacy of my late sister left me with an offer I couldn’t refuse: her car! So, after decades of procrastination and set-backs leaving me emotionally, socially, professionally and mentally unable to cope with such a task, at the beginning of this year I took the plunge and booked lessons.
What was different this time that allowed me to take such action for the first time in my life? Ok, I had the chance to fulfil my sister’s wishes and make a little sense of her passing. Then there was a year-plus of Impact techniques learnt and practiced, to aid and support me in coping with something I doubt I would’ve ever achieved a short time ago.
So, I was able to set myself a long-term goal, plan the steps and short term goals to set me on the path to learning. I worked out what was important and what could be avoided, after all the future of cars aren’t manual gearboxes! Add that fate had transpired my sister’s last car to be an automatic, so destiny was in my favour there…
Using tools to cope with my thoughts and feelings, I overcame my fears in finding an instructor, relying on my strengths in researching to find someone suitable and contact them. I have taken my time, not succumbing to peer pressure to rush though lessons and take a test as soon as possible, it’s not really necessary in my case so why follow other’s targets and expectations.
I recognised improvements every week and took encouragement from my instructor as he also saw them. After a few months I booked my theory test, planning my revision and using online resources to practice. I didn’t see it as a do-or-die situation, if it didn’t work out I was sure I could see what I did wrong. So, coming into an examination-style situation did not phase me and I was relatively relaxed, even when they informed me I passed!
Now the driving became a short-term priority and I was able to cope with getting my car back on the road, taxed, insured and MOT’d, acting on advice from trusted people around me. I have since been using my peer support to help me get experience driving it, preparing me for the big day of the practical test, which is now booked and just weeks away. Even now I refuse to be phased by this target, as I know if it doesn’t work out, I have no doubt that I will pass in due course.
After that, I can look forward to all the new targets I can set, using this major new strength. I doubt I will be waiting for buses in the near future…
https://www.impactmh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/new-driver-p-plate-tossing-l-plate-through-window.jpg350668Deanne Clarkhttps://www.impactmh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/logo-v8.1.pngDeanne Clark2019-08-04 17:13:482023-02-27 08:43:01On The Road With Harry
I initially found out about Impact whilst I was seeing an NHS therapist in the Bedfordshire Wellbeing Centre.
A Bedford learner
I had hit rock bottom and felt like there was no way out. My mental health was the worst it had ever been. I felt like the treatment I was getting via the NHS wasn’t helping me at all, so finding Impact was a ray of hope.
I’m 30 years old, I’ve been married for 8 years to a member of the armed forces and I’m a mother to one.
I’ve had periods of poor mental health throughout most of my life. I’ve always struggled with anxiety, depression and insomnia but I also had a period of post-natal depression after my son was born. I was also diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is exacerbated by my mental health.
Growing up I had a difficult childhood. I had very little relationship with my parents and struggled with feelings of neglect. Then, when I was 6, my brother was born and the gap just widened. I felt incredibly isolated and alone. Looking back on it now, I’m pretty confident my mother suffered from Post Natal Depression but at the time I was too young to understand.
As a teenager I was bullied for 4 years. I was verbally and physically abused on a daily basis but because of my home life I didn’t have anyone who could support me through this. When I did eventually reach out to my grandmother about being bullied; my parents removed me from the school and placed me into a new school. I was much happier and I flourished for a while.
I met my husband when I was quite young and we had 2 really fantastic years together before he joined the military. We’ve now been a part of the military for 10 years and during that time my mental health has declined rapidly. I became mentally co-dependent with my husband. Over the years I became incredibly needy and obsessive about his behaviour and we clashed repeatedly about his career. I didn’t realise that my behaviour had become toxic and I was slowly poisoning our relationship. I was always unhappy but couldn’t pin point why. At times I even questioned if our relationship was doomed to failure.
In 2012 we made the decision to try to have a baby. We were in a reasonably good patch and so when I became pregnant it felt like the icing on the cake. I didn’t realise then that becoming a parent would just increase the pressure on us as a couple. Having children within the military lifestyle can be pretty tough and we struggled at every stage. I resented my husband for leaving me alone with the baby to go to work. I felt even more alone and neglected. His career flourished and he was so happy and all the time I was supporting him, I started to hate him.
In October 2018 my husband was due to depart for a month overseas. During the weeks building up to this my son was incredibly unhappy, my dog became dangerously ill and my job was becoming increasingly stressful. I had days where I didn’t eat or sleep at all but in front of others I portrayed this controlled calm persona. When my husband eventually left, I’d had 5 solid days of no sleep and very little food. I managed to get my son up and dressed but whilst I was doing this I noticed a shortness of breath. This then progressed to a full blown panic attack. I knew in my heart that I needed professional help and managed to drive myself to my GP.
I had a desire to tell someone everything. All the things I was hiding from others and ultimately myself. He took some time discussing my symptoms and was pretty confident I was suffering from Generalised Anxiety disorder and Insomnia.
Although this isn’t one of my happiest memories, I now see it as the beginning of my recovery.
When I first attended Impact I had very little knowledge of mental health. I was initially hoping to learn about anxiety and how I could help myself to recover. Little did I know that it would not only educate me but fully equip me on my path to recovery.
Within the YOU programme I learned how to use RAMPS to ensure I was helping myself stay mentally healthy. This subject made me realise that I had fully detached and isolated myself from everyone around me, including myself!
I decided to completely overhaul my lifestyle and introduce new routines. Some of which included making new friends and becoming more physically active. I also introduced journaling into my daily routine and started a much healthier sleep pattern.
Once I realised I had better control of my wellbeing by utilising this tool I noticed a real improvement in my mental health.
When the YOU Programme finished I couldn’t wait to carry on with the learning so signed up for the YOUR Recovery Pathway Programme.
During the gap between the courses I joined an aerobics class, started meeting with friends at least once a week and sleeping much better.
I’m currently working through the YOUR Pathway to Recovery programme. It’s been another huge eye opener for me!
I finally understand that my relationship with my husband had become toxic and how detrimental it was to my wellbeing. I knew I needed to make some huge changes in that area of my life and the class gave me the knowledge on how to achieve this.
I had another ‘Eureka!’ moment when I realised that the pain I was carrying from my childhood was severely damaging me and no one else. I needed to allow myself to process what had happened and let it go. With this knowledge and the professional help I have been receiving from a private therapist I’m working towards this.
This time last year I was incredibly unhappy and couldn’t see a way out. Now, with the skills and tools I have learned and the changes I’ve made in my life, I honestly feel like I’m recovering.
I still have periods of anxiety but now I’m prepared and equipped to deal with these episodes.
I am now in a much healthier place both mentally and physically.
A Bedford Learner
My relationships are growing and adapting to my new mentality and I look forward to the future. I now have the strength to deal with my previous issues with my parents and I’m beginning to see the possibility of a relationship with them. Also my husband and I are now working together on improving our day to day life. I feel like I can become a much better wife and mother now.
I can’t wait to go forward with my life.
A Bedford Learner
https://www.impactmh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/7ed38b51974a4d78ba60d9ebecec8bf8.jpeg8001200adminhttps://www.impactmh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/logo-v8.1.pngadmin2019-08-04 16:39:582023-02-27 08:43:03Going Forward With Life
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